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Ryobi RY905500 (Discontinued)

The Ryobi RY905500 is a portable open frame generator with a rated wattage of 5,500 W and a starting wattage of 6,875 W.

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Ryobi RY905500Ryobi RY905500Ryobi RY905500

This product was discontinued. For your convenience, we decided to leave this page up.
It was replaced by the Ryobi RY906500S. However, you might still find it second hand on eBay, by clicking on the button below.

Description

The Ryobi 5,500-Watt Portable Generator with EasyStart technology is where efficiency meets convenience. With a Heavy Duty 420cc OHV engine, this generator delivers 5,500 Running-Watts (6,875 Surge/Starting-Watts) and is powerful enough to be used on a jobsite or as an emergency backup system. Featuring the EasyStart 3-Step starting system and a large 6 Gal. fuel tank, the Ryobi 5,500-Watt Generator can run up to 9 hours at 50% load. The Digital Hour Meter Display allows you to monitor essential functions such as Time of Use, Voltage, Hertz and Total Hours used. The Quick-Release handle provides easy and compact storage while the flat-free wheels and the Hand Truck Frame design allow for easy transport, even over rough terrain. This generator is also equipped with an Automatic Voltage Regulator that provides consistent power. The Control Panel features (4) 120-Volt 20 Amp (GFCI Protected) outlets and (1) 240-Volt Twist Lock 30 Amp outlet to meet all your power needs.

Zoom on the Ryobi RY905500

In summary, the Ryobi RY905500 is a portable generator especially useful for:

  • RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
  • People occasionally participating in outdoor fairs, festivals or events
  • Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
  • Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout
  • Professionals who want to be able to deliver results, even during a power failure

In the sections ahead, the power characteristics, availability of various outlets, the portability, and any additional features of the device shall be discussed, including its emission compliance information.

Power & Run Time

The Ryobi RY905500 in use

The Ryobi RY905500

The Ryobi RY905500's engine, 420 cc Ryobi OHV 4-stroke, fueled by gasoline, can deliver 120/240V. It provides a running wattage of 5,500W and reaches a peak wattage of 6,875W.

The generator features Ryobi's EasyStart pull-start mechanism (more information below). It is rated for a noise of 78 dBA (less noisy than a shower).

With a fuel capacity of 6 gallons, the RY905500 may run for around 10 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.6 GPH).

The powering of sensitive electronic devices with the RY905500 is not recommended due to its high THD (<20%).

Outlets

The control panel features the upcoming 5 AC outlets:

Two Duplexes 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI
120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle

Due to the featured twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the RY905500 is transfer switch ready: you may connect it to a breaker box to power your household during a power outage.

Portability

With its dimensions of L31.5 x W29 x H24 in, the conventional, open frame design of the Ryobi RY905500 offers stability and allows the generator to be raised above ground level. The featured design is ideal for the outdoors and all tough environments.

As the generator's weight is 192 pounds, manually moving it or transporting it may be challenging, despite the fact that it is technically considered 'portable' (movable). Still, once it is on the ground, its wheel kit and its folding handle can easily solve the issue of low mobility and allow for easy relocation of the device.

EasyStart Mechanism

ryobi easystart starting mechanism

Ryobi's 3-step EasyStart mechanism

The unit benefits from Ryobi’s EasyStart mechanism. This 3-step starting system allows you to easily start your generator. It works in the following way:

  1. Put the engine switch on the “ON” position, and place the lever on the “START” position
  2. Pull the recoil until the engine runs
  3. Let the engine run 15 to 30 seconds and place the lever on the “RUN” position

Features

Panel of the Ryobi RY905500

The RY905500's control panel

The RY905500 and its control panel include a convenient meter showing you voltage, frequency and lifetime hours. This feature comes handy when monitoring its status and activity.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), giving you a peace of mind during use.

Apart from the typical documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), which lets you start it right away, the Ryobi RY905500 also is packed along with the following accessories: tool kit and oil.

Emissions

The Ryobi RY905500 is EPA approved, but NOT CARB-compliant. Thus, it cannot be purchased or sold in California.

However, it features a spark arrestor, so it is adequate for use in forested areas.

Product Video

The Ryobi RY905500 versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Ryobi RY905500 compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).

  • At a dry weight of 192 pounds, the Ryobi RY905500 is one of the heavier devices which can produce between 5000 and 6000 running watts. If you are concerned by weight, one of the champions in the above-mentioned power range is the Genmax GM6000XiE, with a dry weight of just 106.9 pounds.
  • Among the generators of a comparable running wattage, this generator with a lowest noise of 78 dBA can be judged as noisy. If you’d prefer a less noisy device, one of the most quiet devices, which share the same power range with this one, is the Honda EU7000iS, whose lowest noise levels reach just 52 dBA.
  • As for its autonomy, the RY905500, with an autonomy of around 10 hours at a 50% load, is placed on the low end among the generators of its kind. If you consider autonomy on a single full tank as one of the deciding factors, one of the generators in the same power range that offers the highest run time is the Cat RP5500, with around 15 hours.
  • Even though run times are undoubtedly important, they are dependent on the fuel capacity to a large extent. For a more wholesome picture, we must take into consideration the fuel consumption of the generator. In fact, this generator is not among the most fuel efficient, within the aforementioned wattage range : its estimated gasoline consumption at 50% load is around 0.6 GPH. If not satisfied with the afore-mentioned fuel consumption, you may wish to check out the A-iPower SUA7000L. With a fuel consumption of as little as 0.36 GPH, it is one of the most efficient generators currently on the market.

The bottom line

STRENGTHS:
  • Several accessories included
  • GFCI Outlets
WEAKNESSES:
  • No electric start
  • Not CARB-compliant
  • On the heavy side (192 lbs)
  • On the noisy side (78 dBA)
  • Relatively low run time
  • Low fuel efficiency

Do you own the Ryobi RY905500 and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?

Let us know and write your own review.

Features and Specifications

General
InverterNo
Parallel capableNo
RV readyNo
FuelGasoline
Engine420 cc Ryobi OHV 4-stroke
Starting systemRecoil
Warranty3 years
Power
VoltageAC: 120/240V 60 Hz
Running watts5,500 W
Starting watts6,875 W
Running amps (@120/240V)45.8/22.9 amps
Peak amps (@120/240V)57.3/28.6 amps
Run time @50% load10 h
Run time @25% loadUnknown
Features
GFCI outletsYes
Covered outletsYes
Automatic Voltage RegulationYes
AC outlets
  • 2x Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI
  • 1x 120/240V 30A (L14-30R)
DC outletsNo
Data centerVFT
IndicatorsNo
Fuel tank6 gal
Fuel gaugeNo
Misc
Weight192 lbs
Approx. dimensions (L x W x H)31.5 x 29 x 24 in
Noise (lower limit)78 dBA
THD< 20%
ComplianceEPA
SecurityLow oil and overload protection
Spark arrestorYes
NeutralBonded to frame
Accessories includedOil, tool kit, and wheel kit
UPC046396010056

Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.

Spec Improvement×

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About Ryobi

Founded in 1943, Ryobi Limited is a Japanese based manufacturer that throughout its history mainly focused on electrical and automotive components. However, their quite recent power tool branch has proven to be popular for the quality and reliability of its products, which are nowadays found globally on the shelves of popular retailers. Ryobi products are listed to be produced in various locations globally, mainly US, Germany, Japan and China.

Warranty Information

The Ryobi RY905500 is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Ryobi generators, please consult Ryobi's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-800-525-2579.

Questions & Answers

What can it power?
Examples of items that can be simultaneously powered.
The examples below are based on a maximum load of 80% and estimated wattages. For a more accurate estimation, use our generator size calculator.
ItemRunning WattsStarting Watts
At homeMicrowave (1000 watts)15001500
AC (10,000 BTU)15002200
Sump pump (1/2 hp)10502150
Refrigerator (energy star)1921192
Radio100100
Set of 5 LED light bulbs5555
Total4397 W5497 W
For campingRV AC (11,000 BTU)10101600
RV refrigerator180600
Hair dryer18001900
Radiant heater13001300
Radio100100
Total4390 W4980 W
For workTable saw18004500
Grinder14002500
Reciprocating saw730960
Bug zapper8080
Total4010 W6710 W
Is there a conversion kit to electric start? (Asked October 15, 2019)

As far as we know, there are no official conversion kits that serve that purpose.

what spark plug belongs in the 420 cc (Asked November 06, 2021)

Spark plug should be LG F7TC or equivalent.

how much oil does it take (Asked October 03, 2022)

Engine oil capacity is approximately 37 fl.oz.

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